When a car accident happens, the at-fault driver’s insurance company has one goal: pay out no compensation or pay as little as possible to the victim. This is why insurance companies often call accident victims soon after the accident. They are not trying to work with you to get you the money you need to help you recover, no matter what they may tell you.
Below, learn some of the reasons insurance companies contact victims and how they may try to work against your best interests. Then, reach out to the experienced Cincinnati car accident lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy for help dealing with the aftermath of a car accident.
Offering A Quick Settlement
Sometimes, insurance adjusters may contact accident victims quickly after an accident in order to offer them a settlement. This is not in consideration of what is best for you but rather for what is best for the insurance company. Insurance companies make money by bringing more in the form of premiums than what they pay out in claims. Therefore, they may offer a fast settlement that is way below the value of a claim in an attempt to minimize the payout.
Obtaining Information To Use Against You
One of the most common reasons that insurance companies may contact you after an accident is to obtain information to use against you. Insurance adjusters may be able to use information against you by using the following tactics:
- Getting you to admit fault for the accident
- Convincing you that the value of your claim is below a certain number
- Getting you to discuss a particular detail that is contradicted by other evidence
- Trying to get you to say that you are fine or otherwise minimize your injuries
- Learning what medical conditions you have been diagnosed with
- Misconstruing what you say to try to disprove your version of events
- Getting you to admit that you were distracted, drinking or under the influence of prescription drugs at the time of the accident
Talking To You Before You Talk To An Attorney
Some insurance companies try to contact accident victims before they have a chance to consult with an attorney. Hiring a lawyer is beneficial to your claim because claims that settle without a lawyer often settle for much less than claims settled by victims represented by experienced car accident attorneys.
Tips On Dealing With Insurance Adjuster Calls
If you are contacted by an insurance company, you do not have to answer. You can let the insurance company leave a message and forward it to your attorney. If you do answer, you can delay the conversation by saying that it is not a good time or giving them your lawyer’s phone number.
If you do decide to talk to the insurance company, use the following tips:
- Be polite but only answer the questions that you are asked without volunteering additional information.
- Get the adjuster’s name, phone number, address, insurance company they are calling on behalf of and the name of anyone else monitoring the call.
- Stick to the facts and do not give opinions.
- Do not guess information.
- Do not speculate on what happened.
- Avoid discussing your injuries or other damages since you may not have all the details on this information.
- Remember, you can refuse to give a recorded statement.
Contact A Lawyer For Help With Your Claim
If you have been contacted by the at-fault party’s insurance company, it is important that you speak with a qualified Cincinnati car accident lawyer who can help you level out the playing field. Our experienced team at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy can handle all communications with the insurance company and give you tips on how to protect the value of your claim.
Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential case review. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you do not pay upfront fees and only pay for our services if we recover compensation on your claim.
